What Are The Qualities of A Good Reader?

A good reader comprehends the writing, understands what the author is trying to say, and absorbs as much knowledge as possible to learn and grow.

Whether you are a student or a professional, it is essential to remain up-to-date in your field of expertise to keep up with the ever-changing world. 

Reading is key to gaining the latest information and expanding your vision. A book, magazine, newspaper, or blog depends on readers to convey its message.

This article will cover the qualities of a good reader to become one and stay on top of your career. Plus, there are some bonus tips for extra efficiency! 

Who is a good reader?

A good reader is one who understands the writer’s intent, gains maximum knowledge from the text, and retains it in memory. And most importantly, a good reader is someone who keeps reading!

Reading may not seem like a skill we need to master. After all, we have been doing it since preschool. 

But are you a good reader?

Effective reading is a problem for most of us. Skimming past a magazine is easy, but can you remember the exact headline of the article you are reading? 

A survey in the United States found that 38% of independent readers are better achievers due to their high skill set.

To be a good reader, you need to learn what the words mean. Not only is a good reader attentive while going through writing, but they also pays attention to the little details a mediocre reader usually misses.

Also, effective reading goes hand in hand with learning. Only someone specializing in going through data and difficult-to-comprehend information can truly keep discovering.

Qualities of a good reader

Anyone looking to take their reading skills up a notch needs to learn from the most avid readers around them. But how will you know who is a good reader?

Some of the most common qualities you will find among an excellent reader are:

1. Reflects on the text

A promising reader does not just read but also understands the meaning, intent, and message behind the sentences. He interprets the words, spends some time understanding their meaning, and is always eager to learn more.

2. Learns as they read

A brilliant reader is always looking for new things to learn. In fact, 42% of French people think that reading leads to discovering and learning new things. For example, you can read a self-help book, a new recipe, or a fashion magazine. 

3. Expands their vocabulary

Reading is an excellent way to improve one’s vocabulary. Studies show that each focused reading session adds a few new words to the reader’s vocabulary.

Second language learners are often recommended to read books to increase their proficiency in the new language. Check out this post for more tips on achieving fluency over a language.

4. Sharpens their brain

Reading, when done right, can be an effective exercise for your brain muscles. You can guess the meanings of new words using the reference to context. Alternatively, reading a book and recalling the lines after some time can be a fun memory game.

When reading something new, your brain creates new neurons and strengthens the old ones. It boosts your memory and concentration span. Thus, reading is beneficial for brain functions.

Tip: Here is an awesome course for maximizing your memory if you need help.

5. Gets through complicated writings

Having a reasonable attention span and the patience to read even the most complicated passages without losing interest is a sign of being a talented reader. The key is to delve into the vocabulary, pause to understand the meaning and note the important points.

Do you face difficulty reading a scientific paper? Learn the right technique for reading complex texts here.

6. Reads fast

Reading and understanding simultaneously shouldn’t make a reader slow. Someone good at reading can go through tons of writings quickly.

Speed reading is the need of the hour. Whether you’re a student trying to finish a book in a day or a stay-at-home mum jotting down a recipe from a YouTube channel – reading fast and still grasping the concept is crucial everywhere.

If you want to work on your speed reading skills, check out this speed reading tool designed to help you with just that.

7. Puts different skills in reading

There are a few techniques for reading swiftly and fruitfully. For instance, if you’re reading a book, go through its table of contents first. It will give you an idea of what to expect. Also, instead of turning the pages randomly, you will know what section of the book will provide the insight you are after.

For a blog post, read through the introduction and the headers first. Then, try to work out the structure of the writing. Also, many writers use bolds, italics, different fonts, and their sizes to bring attention to the most significant details first. Later, read the rest of the article for maximum impact.

8. Takes notes

Note-taking is a tried and tested technique for a deeper understanding of any learning material. Studies prove that taking notes boosts your ability to process information, whether you are scribbling down the main points of a scientific journal or writing your favorite pieces from a novel.

9. Visualizes the text

Another useful technique for a better understanding of the text is visualizing the words. Read the sentences and paint a picture of what the author is trying to say.

It is scientifically proven that illustrations impact the human mind more than just words. 

But what if the book you’re reading has no pictures? 

Use your brain to make a mental portrait of what you are reading. It will maximize the amount of knowledge you gain from the writing, plus it will also be quite an exercise for your brain muscles. Win-win!

10. Predicts the next part

When reading a story or an opinionated article, try predicting what happens next using what you’ve already learned. 

Take different conditions and possibilities into account and make an educated guess. Then, keep reading to determine if your theory was right or wrong. And learn from the experience to make better guesses next time.

11. Relates to what they read

Another good habit of avid readers is that they always relate their readings to real life. You can think of relatable movies, music, or a real-life incident to what you are reading at the moment.

12. Researches more

A good reader doesn’t just stop at one book or essay – rather, they dive deeper into the knowledge they’re after. They pay attention to whatever questions arise in their mind when going through a text and are curious to find their answers.

In this regard, the internet is heaven for avid readers. You can keep searching various topics until you have gathered the answers to all your queries. Then, come up with another topic and repeat! 

Also, reading more makes you a better reader.

Conclusion

Reading is an essential skill for someone striving to be better in all worldly affairs. In this digital world, most information is in the form of words. Thus, reading efficiently and quickly is the key to staying on top of your game.

A good reader understands the importance of this skill and uses it to keep growing. They connect with the words, unravel their deeper meaning, learn new things, and read as much as they can in little time.

“Readers are leaders.” 

Do you think you can read and learn swiftly? 

Take this speed reading course and become the next leader in no time!